The Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) says it’s being overrun by domestic canines and felines, many of which are litters of puppies and kittens dropped off by owners who never wanted them in the first place.
The agency “has hit a crisis stage,” it says. Many of the pets are euthanized if not adopted.
Spring and summer bring more kitten and puppy births, the agency notes. “Our Care Centers are full to brimming with dogs and cats of all ages and breeds,” officials said in a statement. The agency is obligated to accept all animals that come through its doors.
As many as 200 pets a day are dropped at the shelters. Only about half of them get adopted.
Officials are asking people to think twice before bringing pets in, or at least let them grow up a bit so they have a better chance of surviving.
The other solution: Get your pet spayed or neutered, the agency pleads. Obviously this cuts down on unwanted pet pregnancies, but fixed pets are also less likely to roam.
On the flip side, there are many pets available for adoption. In fact, MCACC is running a summer special: All cats over 6 months are $25. All dogs over 40 pounds are $50. These fees cover the spay/neuter surgery, a rabies vaccination and for dogs, a County dog license. By law, all dogs in Maricopa County must be licensed.
The county is also wrestling with many stray cats (which tend to be friendly) and feral cats (which are not). They reproduce like rabbits. The volunteer Arizona Cat Assistance Team traps, fixes and releases them.
Nationwide, it is estimated there are 88 million cats owned by 38 million households. Many of them are not fixed and often roam free. Coordinated action on the part of policy makers, shelter organizations and cat owners is needed to try to control overpopulation, says Linda Lord, assistant professor of veterinary preventive medicine at Ohio State University.
“If we don’t change something, we’re going to continue to lose this battle,” Lord said. “We’re going to have more and more cats reproducing, and we need to think about collective community approaches to prevent that.”
The growing pet problem is sparking legislative efforts around the country. Nearly 40 mandatory sterilization bills have been introduced in cities and counties this year, according to LiveScience.com. io